Aston Villa are closing in on deals for Christian Benteke, Jordan Bowery and Dale Stephens, but
Clint Dempsey has snubbed a move to the club as he holds out for a switch to Liverpool.

Clint Dempsey has been left out of Fulham’s squad for their first two games of the Premier League (Picture: PA)

As Metro revealed last week, Villa boss Paul Lambert is desperate to bring in more faces before the close of the transfer window, following a disastrous start to the season.

But despite adding Middlesbrough defender Joe Bennett to the captures of Ron Vlaar, Karim El Ahmadi, Brett Holman and young full-back Matt Lowton, Lambert has been frustrated in his bid to land other targets.

The club had a £4million offer for Genk striker Benteke knocked back on Wednesday, and although talks have since continued, the Belgian club are refusing to sell on the cheap.

Villa remain confident of striking a deal, but if Benteke does arrive, he will not be joined by Fulham’s Clint Dempsey, who has rejected a move to the club.

Lambert had agreed terms with Fulham for Dempsey late last night, and had opened talks with the player over a deal today, but the United States forward pulled out as he holds out for an offer from Liverpool.

The news has come as a blow to Lambert, but there is better news elsewhere, with Chesterfield striker Bowery signing for £600,000, while 22-year-old midfielder Stephens is in talks over a switch from Charlton.

The club is open to offers for out-of-favour duo Neil Warnock and Alan Hutton, who have been made to train with the reserve team in recent weeks as they are no longer part of Lambert’s plans.